Cheap, Easy, & Healthy Meals for College Students

Some of my favorite nutritious meals for students on a budget!

Simple Chicken Stir Fry

This was the first meal I learned to make in college. It's not too difficult to make, provides protein and veggies, and is delicious! It can be easily stored for leftovers the next day.

Tools: Frying pan, pot, stove

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of your favorite vegetables (I like to use peppers, mushrooms, edamame, carrots, spinach, and broccoli. I also buy frozen veggies, so I can store them for longer. Use what you like!)

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into cubes

• 1/3 pack of Asian noodles or 1 cup of rice

• 2 tbsp oil

• Stir fry sauce or teriyaki sauce as needed

1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan over medium-high heat.

2. Add cubed chicken. Cook for about 5 minutes until cooked through.

3. Remove chicken and add another tbsp of oil.

4. Add veggies and start frying them over medium-high heat.

5. While veggies are cooking, boil rice or noodles in a separate pot.

6. Put cooked chicken back in the pan and stir together with veggies to combine.

7. Add stir fry sauce or teriyaki sauce.

8. Enjoy!

Mini Zucchini Pizzas

My roommate likes to make mini zucchini pizzas to enjoy pizza while skipping the usual crust! It's a delicious snack and only takes a few minutes to make.

Tools: Oven and baking sheet

Ingredients:

• 1 zucchini cut into slices

• Salt and pepper (to taste)

• Pizza sauce (to taste)

• Shredded mozzarella cheese (to taste)

• Miniature pepperoni slices (to taste)

1. Turn your oven to the broil setting and preheat.

2. Place zucchini slices on a greased baking sheet.

3. Broil for 1-2 minutes, then flip zucchini and broil another 1-2 minutes.

4. Sprinkle salt and pepper on zucchini.

5. Add as much pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni slices as you like.

6. Broil an additional 1 minute so that the cheese is melted.

7. Enjoy!

Chicken Burrito Bowl

What college student doesn't love a burrito bowl from Chipotle? Making food at home is usually cheaper and can be healthier than ordering out, so I like to make my own chicken burrito bowl from time to time. This recipe is how I like to make my burrito bowls, but can customize them with other protein and whatever vegetables, salsas, and seasonings you like!

Tools: Frying pan, pot, stove

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast

• Frontier seasoning blends Mexican Fiesta (I like this pre-made seasoning because it's delicious and flavorful, has natural ingredients, and is convenient--many college students don't have pantries stocked full of spices. But, you can use any seasoning you like!)

• 1-2 tbsp oil

• 1 avocado

• 1 red or green pepper

• 1 bag of frozen corn

• 15 oz can of black beans

• Fresh tomato salsa

• Shredded cheese

• Cilantro

1. Rinse and chop your veggies and slice your avocado.

2. Rinse, drain, and heat beans in a pot.

3. While beans are heating, heat oil in a pan.

4. Spread oil on both sides of chicken breast, then sprinkle both sides with seasoning.

5. Once oil in pan is hot, place seasoned chicken breasts in the pan.

6. Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes, then flip over and cook the other side.

7. While chicken is cooking, cook rice and frozen corn.

8. Combine beans, rice, corn, and chicken in a bowl.

9. Add tomato salsa, shredded cheese, and cilantro.

10. Enjoy!

Healthy and Tasty Snacks to Keep in your Kitchen

These are my favorite snacks to keep on hand! They're tasty and nutritious.

• Mixed nuts

• Vegetables like baby carrots, red peppers, and celery to dip in hummus, guacamole, or ranch vegetable dip

• Apple slices or bananas to dip in peanut or almond butter

• Greek yogurt (I like to buy Greek yogurts that have fruit & berries in them!)

• Hard boiled eggs

• Turkey and cheese roll-ups